Wokingham & Emmbrook crashed to only their second league defeat of the season against a hard working and committed Finchampstead side at Cantley Park on Saturday.

The visitors performance certainly belied their position in the table and a few more similar displays this season would have seen them sit a lot higher in Hellenic Division 1 East.

Visiting keeper Nick Rumsby was soon in action, saving low down from Richard Bland’s effort from the edge of the area.

Although Wokingham had the lion’s share of possession both sides failed to create many worth well chances.

The best chance for Wokingham came from Shaun Wanklyn’s free-kick from his own half which released Bland, but his effort from the angle of the area was deflected past the far post.

It was Finch, though, who took the lead right on half-time with probably their only real chance of the half.

The Wokingham defence had plenty of chances to clear the danger, but failed to do so and the ball fell to the feet of ex-Wokingham striker Dean Thomas who curled his shot past keeper Stuart Harris from the edge of the area.

Wokingham boss Wayne Wanklyn made a double change during the interval introducing Sam Duffelen and Danny Horscroft for Alex Luis and Chris Byrne.

And the home side got themselves back into the game in the 49th minute when Bland was released out on the left.

His pace took him just inside the area, cutting in he picked his spot beating Rumsby low down to his left.

Given the lifeline you would have been forgiven for thinking Wokingham would have been lifted by the goal, but it was Finch who produced their best period of the game and squandered three decent chances.

Robert Yorke-Goldney cut in and should have done better as he forced Harris into a fine save and then Steve Ryan fired wide from an excellent position.

The visitors made a change in the 56th minute when Garry Sargeant replaced Pat Selby and it was the substitute who poached the winner on the hour.

Harris made a fine save to parry away Thomas’ well-struck effort, but the ball broke loose and Sargeant had the easiest of tap-ins from 10 yards out.

At last Wokingham began to take control and for the final 15 minutes Finch were forced to defend and hang on for their lives with Scott Bursill outstanding at the back.

Shane Cooper-Clark and Duffelen had chances, but no-one could take advantage and Finch hung on to collect the points that nobody could deny they didn’t deserve in testing conditions.

This result has probably left the Cantley Park side with too much to do to lift the league title.

Although they have three games in hand on leaders Thame United, the Oxfordshire side are 15 points ahead, but still have to visit Cantley Park April 17.

However, second place still looks likely, with games still in hand on their rivals, but they must get back into winning ways very quickly.

They now enter a period until the end of the season where they will have to play three times a week. Tomorrow evening Newbury are the visitors to Larges Lane, (7.45pm kick-off) and then on Saturday Wokingham & Emmbrook make the short journey to Woodley Town (3pm) before on Tuesday its back to Cantley Park for the visit of Milton United (6.30pm).